Reporting Deadlines
We’re in the fourth quarter of the year, which means annual reporting is coming up. Around November 1 Hennepin County should start sending out notices about hazardous waste management plans, which will be due by December 15. Note the following deadlines, through April 1, for OSHA recordkeeping, hazardous waste generators and air quality permit holders.
If our contract with you includes assistance with reporting, Eleanor will be contacting you soon to set up appointments.
Welcome Eleanor
Eleanor Kernkamp is the newest member of the CHESS team. Many of you may have already received emails or calls from her, as she has taken over our scheduling. She also helps with reports, formatting documents, research and keeping our office running. Eleanor is a graduate of University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Although she grew up in Wisconsin, she is a Minnesota sports team fan. If you need to schedule training, Eleanor can be reached at 651-842-9215 or ekernkamp@chess-safety.com
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should
Edible cannabinoid products (edibles containing no more than 0.3% of any THC) have been approved in Minnesota as of July 1. Just because employees can legally purchase them does not change the concern that anyone working in a safety sensitive position should not consume these. It also does not change drug testing requirements.
OSHA Doesn’t Call
They just show up. They also do not ask for a credit card. There are a number of OSHA related scams going around. If someone calls saying they are from OSHA, OSHA Consulting or OSHA Compliance, we recommend hanging up. If OSHA wants to inspect your facility, either for a programmed (random) inspection, a complaint or due to a serious injury, a compliance officer will show up at your facility, present their credentials (including a name badge and business card) and explain why they are there.
The exception to this is OSHA Consultation. If you have requested a consultation or have received an OSHA safety grant, OSHA Consultation may contact you by email to schedule a site visit. If you have any questions about this, call us.
Mental Health Training
About half of adults and half of teenagers (13 to 18 years old) are expected to have mental health issues in their lifetime*. We are seeing a huge jump in mental health issues and people reaching out for help. In July, the United States started the 988 crisis lifeline – one call from anywhere in the US will connect you with mental health assistance, whether you are calling for yourself or because someone you care about is in crisis. CHESS can provide training on recognizing and addressing mental health issues for supervisors (and employees). If you are interested in learning more, contact Carol.
*From National Institute of Mental Health and National Alliance on Mental Illness
OSHA Updates
COVID recordkeeping: Yeah, we’re still talking about it. Minnesota OSHA has adopted the federal requirements for recording COVID related cases and reporting hospitalizations and fatalities in health care. You can read more at the MN Department of Labor & Industry’s website: https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/workplace-safety-and-health/mnosha-compliance-novel-coronavirus-covid-19
Federal OSHA continues to work on an infectious agents standard. It is a long process, so don’t expect to see anything soon. If something changes, we will let you know.
This has been one of the deadliest years for workers in recent Minnesota history. Between Oct 1 2021 and Dept 14 2022, there have been 52 workplace fatalities investigated by MNOSHA (35 not related to COVID):
COVID-19 deaths: 17
Hit by equipment or backed over: 8
Falls: 9
Other: 7
Caught by or in equipment: 4
Electrocution: 3
Grain bin engulfment: 2
Trench collapse: 2
We assisted with a recent OSHA inspection during which the inspector noted that MN OSHA is starting to cite for unguarded toggle switches. A Minnesota standard requires that “The motor start button on machines with exposed points of operation, pinch points, or nip points shall be physically protected against unintended operation.”
- In this case, it was the toggle switch on pedestal and bench grinders that needed to be guarded. But any other equipment with straightforward toggle switches need the same protection. This can be as simple a fix as mounting shields around the switch, so it cannot be turned on by someone brushing against it.
Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week (Oct 9-15) is celebrating 100 years. Whether at home or at work you should have a fire prevention plan and a plan on what to do if there is a fire. For more ideas and materials, visit https://www.nfpa.org/FPW
If It Stinks, Evacuate
Ever wonder why gas smells like “rotten eggs”? The State Fire Marshal recently had a column about this—a chemical called mercaptan is added to gas, which is otherwise odorless. Like so many things in safety, this came about after the loss of many lives in an explosion at a school. To read the full article (EWWWWWWW! What Is That Smell?!) by Tom Jenson, Fire Code Specialist, click here: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/for-fire-departments/sfmd-newsletter/Pages/sept-jenson-what-is-that-smell.aspx
Local Safety Supply Resource
MC Tools is a local, family-owned safety supplier that services the Twin Cities Metro area. They have a broad range of products, from fall protection, confined space entry equipment, gas meters, personal protective equipment, and tools. If you are looking for supplies, contact Ken or Erika at MC Tool & Safety. Let them know you were referred by CHESS for better pricing.
https://www.mcsales.com/
Phone: 763-786-5350
Email: info@mcsales.com